Dandie Dinmont Terrier Dog Breed Information and Pictures Your browser does not support the audio tag. Description The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a low to the ground, longer than he is tall, little dog. The large head has a topknot that is in proportion to the body. The skull is broad between the ears, gradually tapering to the eyes. The muzzle is deep, with a well-defined stop. The large teeth meet in a scissors bite. The moderately large nose and the lips are dark in color. The large, round, wide-set eyes come in dark hazel with dark eye rims. The 3 to 4 inch (7-10 cm) ears are pendant, set low and wide, hanging close to the cheeks. The legs are short with the back legs being a little longer than the front legs. The "scimitar" tail looks like a curved sword and is about 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm) long, thicker for about 4 inches then tapering to a point. Dewclaws may be removed when puppies are three or four days old. The coat is about 2 inches (5 cm) long, with a mix of soft and hard hairs.

Hair on the underside is softer in texture and the head is covered with an even softer, silky topknot. Coat colors come in pepper (dark bluish black to a light silvery gray) or mustard (reddish brown to a pale fawn). Mustard puppies are born with a dark brown coat which lightens into varying shades of red when it reaches an adult. Pepper puppies are born black and tan that silvers later in life. Pepper coats have a silver topknot and mustard color coats have a cream-colored topknot. Temperament The Dandie Dinmont makes a great companion dog, affectionate and happy-go-lucky. It is lively, bold, brave, independent and intelligent. Because of this terrier's hunting instincts, it should not be trusted with non-canine pets , such as hamsters , rabbits , pet mice and guinea pigs . It will be okay with cats that it is raised with from puppyhood. They are not difficult to train , if you are firm and consistent. Makes a good watchdog, but needs to be told, after getting your attention with the first warning bark, it is time to be quiet and let you handle the rest.

Because of this breed’s small size, a lot of Dandie Dinmont Terriers develop Small Dog Syndrome , human induced behaviors where the dog believes he is king of the home. Dogs with small dog syndrome are led to believe they own the humans and everything else around them, and do their best to keep and defend what they own. This causes many varying degrees of behavior issues , including, but not limited to, stubbornness, determination, willful, guarding , separation anxiety , difficulty with obedience training, reserved with strangers, snapping, biting, dog-aggressiveness, and obsessive barking, as the dog tries to keep his humans and everyone else around him in line. These are NOT Dandie Dinmont traits, but behaviors brought on by the lack of a firm, consistent pack leader who provides rules and limits to what it is and is not allowed to do, along with the lack of a daily pack walk . As soon as the humans take the control away from the dog, and the dog's instincts are met, the negative behaviors will begin to subside and the Dandie Dinmont will be a wonderful, trustworthy family companion.

Height, Weight Height: 8 - 11 inches (20 - 28 cm) Weight: 18 - 24 pounds (8 - 11 kg) Health Problems Generally a healthy breed. Some are prone to glaucoma and epilepsy. Hypothyroidism can occur when the dog is older. Do not overfeed, as an overweight dog can have back problems. Living Conditions The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is good for apartment life. They are fairly active indoors and a small yard will do as long as you take them for daily walks. Likes to chase, be careful when taking them off the leash. Exercise Dandie Dinmonts need to be walked daily . They will also enjoy sessions of play in the park or other safe open areas. Life Expectancy About 3 to 6 puppies Grooming The Dandie Dinmont needs to be brushed regularly. They should have professional grooming. Dead hair should be plucked out once or twice a year. Show dogs require much more grooming. This breed sheds little to no hair. Origin The Dandie Dinmont is an old terrier dating back to the 1700s, originating from the border area between England and Scotland.

The breed may have been developed from the Skye Terrier and the now extinct Scotch Terrier (not to be confused with today's Scottish Terrier). The breed was popular among the gypsies and was used by farmers to kill vermin. With its short legs it was able to go to ground hunting badgers and otter. In 1814 Sir Walter Scott wrote about the breed in his famous novel "Guy Mannering." In the book there was a character named Dandie Dinmont, and that is where the breed got its name. It was recognized by the AKC in 1886. Some of the Dandie Dinmont's talents are vermin catcher, hunting rabbit, otter, badger, martens, weasels and skunks. Group ACA = American Canine Association Inc. ACR = American Canine Registry ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club APRI = American Pet Registry, Inc. CET = Club Español de Terriers (Spanish Terrier Club) CKC = Canadian Kennel Club DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.

FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc. NKC = National Kennel Club NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club UKC = United Kennel Club Daphne the Dandie Dinmont at 3 years old (Pitfirrane breeding) and Madge the Dandie Dinmont puppy at 12 weeks (Hendell breeding) Daphne the Dandie Dinmont at 3 years old (Pitfirrane breeding) and Madge the Dandie Dinmont puppy at 12 weeks (Hendell breeding) Daphne the Dandie Dinmont at 3 years old Madge the Dandie Dinmont puppy at 12 weeks Madge the Dandie Dinmont puppy at 12 weeks Longfellow the Dandie Dinmont Terrier licking his chops Longfellow the Dandie Dinmont Terrier taking a nap on the chair This is CH German Dandies' Earl of Speedy.

Photo courtesy of DandieOnline Buddy the Dandie Dinmont Terrier at 9 years old with a puppy cut—"He has a great personality, and I've never heard him bark except for when he's sleeping (dreaming) :)" Adopt a Dandie Dinmont Terrier | Dog Breeds | Petfinder Home > Dog Breeds > Adopt a Dandie Dinmont Terrier Share this: Adopt a Dandie Dinmont Terrier Picture: Yann Arthus-Bertrand/Corbis border of Scotland and England Original function: See more adoptable Dandie Dinmont Terrier dogs available on Petfinder Dandie Dinmont Terrier Dog Temperament The Dandie Dinmont is no "dandified" dog; she is rough-and-tumble and ready for the hunt. Yet she functions well as a dignified house pet, affectionate but not doting. She is a loyal companion suitable for people of all ages, but she does need daily exercise to keep her from becoming frustrated. She is intelligent and very independent. Some dig. Dandie Dinmont Terrier Dog Care The Dandie enjoys the chance to hunt around and explore in a safe area and needs a moderate walk to stay in condition.

She does best as an indoor/outdoor dog, and should sleep inside. Her coat needs combing twice weekly, plus regular scissoring and shaping. Shaping for show dogs is done on an almost continual (but light) basis; that for pets can be done by stripping or clipping about four times a year. Dandie Dinmont Terrier Dog Health Major concerns: intervertebral disc disease Minor concerns: shoulder and elbow luxation Occasionally seen: patellar luxation, otitis externa Suggested tests: (elbow) Irish Terrier Interested in the history of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier dog breed? The Dandie Dinmont terrier stands out as a most unusual terrier in appearance, yet her roots are as quintessentially terrier as any. She first appeared as a distinct type of terrier in the 18th century around the border country of Scotland and England. Here they were owned by farmers and gypsies and valued for drawing and killing otters, badgers and foxes. At one time, they were known as Catcleugh, Hindlee or pepper and mustard terriers.

The most well-known of these dogs were owned by James Davidson, who named almost all his dogs either Pepper or Mustard along with some identifying adjective. Davidson and his dogs are believed by some to have been the models for Sir Walter Scott's characters of Dandie Dinmont and his dogs in Guy Mannering, published in 1814. The dogs became known as Dandie Dinmont's terriers. A letter written by James Davidson proclaimed that all Dandies descended from two of his dogs named Tarr and Pepper. At one time the breed was included in the general family of Scotch terriers, which encompassed several short-legged terriers now recognized as distinct breeds. The Dandie was recognized separately from this group in 1873. The Dandie Dinmont has never been extremely popular, and remains one of the lesser-known terriers. An old Scottish saying says, "A Dandie looks at you as though he's forgotten more than you will ever know." Copyright © 1998, 2005 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. based on ENCYCLOPEDIA OF DOG BREEDS by D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D.

Shelters with Dandie Dinmont Terrier Dogs Some animal welfare organizations with Dandie Dinmont Terriers ready for adoption: No matches found Dandie Dinmont Terriers: What's Good About 'Em? What's Bad About 'Em? More traits and characteristics of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier If I was considering a Dandie Dinmont Terrier, I would be most concerned about... Animal aggression. Like all terriers, Dandie Dinmonts can be scrappy with other dogs of the same sex. They are a determined force to reckon with if they decide to initiate or accept a challenge to fight. And because of their hunting background, most terriers have strong instincts to chase and seize small fleeing creatures. This can make for conflict if you own a cat. It may be much worse than that if you own a pet rabbit or hamster! Terriers cannot be trusted off-leash. They will take off -- oblivious to your frantic shouts -- after anything that runs. Strong mind of their own. Terriers must be taught at an early age that they are not the rulers of the world. The toughness that makes them suited to killing vermin can frustrate you when you try to teach them anything.

Terriers are stubborn and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. To teach your terrier to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Dandie Dinmont Training Page discusses the program you need. Defensive reactions. If you need to physically chastise a terrier, and you go beyond what THEY believe is a fair correction, terriers (as a group) are more likely than other breeds to growl or snap. As an obedience instructor, I'm always extra careful when putting my hands on any terrier for a correction. I do NOT recommend terriers for small children. Many terriers will not tolerate any nonsense from little life forms whom they consider to be below themselves in importance. Many terriers are quick to react to teasing, and even to the normal clumsiness that comes with small children (accidental squeezing of their ears or pulling of whiskers or stepping on their paw). Many terriers are possessive of their food and toys and will defend these from all comers, including children. Grooming.

Dandie Dinmont Terriers require clipping and trimming every few months, to keep their coat short and free of mats. But don't expect your pet Dandie Dinmont to look like the Dandie Dinmont show dogs you've seen in books or on TV. That particular look takes hours of work by experienced show groomers. Finding one and paying the price. In the United States, less than 100 new Dandie Dinmont Terrier puppies are registered each year. Compare that to over 60,000 new Golden Retriever puppies! And many breeders are charging $1000 and up. To learn more about training Dandie Dinmont Terriers to be calm and well-behaved, consider my dog training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words . It's a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will make your Dandie Dinmont Terrier the smartest, most well-behaved companion you've ever had. Teaches your dog to listen to you, to pay attention to you, and to do whatever you ask him to do.

My dog buying guide, Dog Quest: Find The Dog Of Your Dreams , will teach you everything you need to know about finding a healthy Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Health problems have become so widespread in dogs today that this book is required reading for ANYONE who is thinking of getting a purebred, crossbred, or mixed breed dog. If you'd like to consult with me personally about whether the Dandie Dinmont Terrier might be a good dog breed for your family, I offer a Dog Breed Consulting Service . Once you have your Dandie Dinmont Terrier home, you need to KEEP him healthy -- or if he's having any current health problems, you need to get him back on the road to good health. Raise your dog the right way and you will be helping him live a longer, healthier life while avoiding health problems and unnecessary veterinary expenses. Please consider adopting an ADULT Dandie Dinmont Terrier... When you're acquiring a Dandie Dinmont Terrier PUPPY, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important.

But when you acquire an adult dog, you're acquiring what he already IS and you can decide whether he is the right dog for you based on that reality. There are plenty of adult Dandie Dinmont Terriers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics that are "typical" for their breed. If you find such an adult dog, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. Just be happy that you found an atypical individual -- and enjoy! Save a life. Adopt a dog. Dandie Dinmont Terrier History & Training/Temperament - American Kennel Club the History The Dandie Dinmont Terrier was bred from selected specimens of the rough native terrier of the Border hunters in the Cheviot Hills between England and Scotland and was first recorded as a distinct type of breed about 1700. He was distinguished by his preeminence in hunting the otter and the badger. A direct line of these dogs descended to the farmers in the Teviotdale Hills, where Sir Walter Scott in his travels chanced upon them and made them famous in his Guy Mannering, published in 1814.

His character Dandie Dinmont, a farmer (believed to have been a Mr. James Davidson of Hindlee, near Hawick) kept the immortal six: "Auld Pepper," "Auld Mustard," "Young Pepper," "Young Mustard," "Little Pepper," and "Little Mustard." From the time of the popularity of Guy Mannering to the present day, the breed has been known as "Dandie Dinmont's Terriers." Today the hunting qualities of the Dandie are not so often required, but his other qualities make him an excellent house dog. He is intelligent, fond of children, and an excellent guard. He has a will of his own and will sometimes obey a command reluctantly, with a look of "I'll do it, but please don't make me." Regular coat care is necessary for a Dandie. Frequent plucking will improve the texture and color of the coat. Only the longest hairs should be removed to keep the double coat and penciled appearance. If the coat is neglected for a long period, it may be necessary to strip it down close to the skin. This will leave only undercoat and the Dandie may appear white.

It can take months for the coat to grow in to proper length and texture after stripping. Dandies fit in anywhere, either in a rough-and-tumble out-of-doors life or in the confines of a city apartment. They are in ideal size, between 18 and 24 pounds, small enough to fit a small apartment and yet a dog big in character. Training & Temperament Dandies are tough but dignified little gents with a big-dog personality, sturdy enough for the rough-and-tumble life of a country terrier, but adaptable and compact enough for apartment living. They’re alert and intelligent watchdogs, with a baritone bark that sounds like it belongs to a much bigger dog. Dandies enjoy romping and cuddling with kids, but aren't as hyper as some small dogs. They are terriers, though, with typical willfulness, independence, and courage. Dandie owners get best results with positive, motivational training. Children You Know? Dandie Dinmonts were first recorded as a distinct breed around 1700. This breed was at one time popular with gypsies, but has also been a favorite of the very rich. Queen Victoria owned and loved a Dandie.

The Dandie Dinmont is intelligent, fond of children, and an excellent guard. The breed got its name from a funny character in a book written in 1814 by Sir Walter Scott. The character's name was Dandie Dinmont. The standard for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier was written in Melrose, Scotland in 1876. colors & Markings Below is a list of the colors and markings available for this breed. Please refer to the breed standard for descriptions and the difference in types. Dandie Dinmont Terrier DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER - The No.1 dog breed I have been a Dandie Dinmont Terrier owner since May 1977. My first dog was called Hampus (alias SUCH Klasse). He was a source of joy for an all too brief time - he passed away in September 1983 due to a fatal slipped disc. Hampus was followed by Rasmus (b. 27th July 1983; pedigree name: Willows' Merveille), who was an absolutely fabulous dog.

*****READ THE SECRET DIARY OF RASMUS!!******* Sadly, on 11th January 1998, Rasmus passed away quietly and undramatically in his sleep, aged 14 years and 5 months. I miss him very much, but my happy memories of him will always remain in my heart. For a tribute to Rasmus, click here. After a fair deal of soul searching, we decided to get another Dandie Dinmont. We got our new puppy on 28th February, 1998. His name is Kasper . Read a text about Kasper and Rasmus called "Cotton and Wool" Dandie Dinmont Terrier isn't the most well-known breed, but without any doubt it is the no.1 breed, in my opinion. Perhaps it is a blessing that the breed hasn't gained mega-fame-status, as this way it has managed to maintain its unique character. The name of the breed hails from a book called "Guy Mannering" written by Sir Walter Scott, perhaps most well-known for being the author of "Ivanhoe".

In "Guy Mannering", one of the characters is a Scottish farmer who is called Dandie Dinmont and who has "pepper and mustard terriers". After this book was released way back when, the breed was re-named Dandie Dinmont Terriers. If you are a Swede and wish to find out more about Dandie Dinmont Terriers, I can highly recommend Jonas Wiborg's excellent book "Terrierna fr�n Charlieshope" and also the new Dandie Dinmont Club homepage. More Dandie Dinmont Terrier links European Dandie Journal - an online magazine about Dandies, available in German and English One Dog Stands Alone Among Champions - The New York Times The New York Times More Sports |One Dog Stands Alone Among Champions Search More Sports | Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show One Dog Stands Alone Among Champions Continue reading the main story Photo Harry was the only Dandie Dinmont terrier to be judged Monday. Last year, he won best-of-show 56 times.

Credit Mary Altaffer/Associated Press It was 10 minutes before 2 yesterday afternoon when Harry, a Dandie Dinmont terrier, took his place on the edge of breed judging Ring 2 at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. He seemed uninterested in the dozen Staffordshire bull terriers still in the ring, and not much more affected by the occasional brushing he was receiving from his handler, Bill McFadden. Harry, or Ch. Hobergays Fineus Fogg, lounged alone in the pooch equivalent of the on-deck circle. Not a single Dandie would challenge him at Madison Square Garden. Every other breed has at least a few rivals. Forty-three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels squared off in Ring 3 a few hours before. But there was just a single Dandie who, by the scorecard published by the weekly periodical Dog News, was dandy in extremis. Harry, a 6-year-old New Zealander who is heading for retirement, had scored the most points in the country in 2006.

Betty-Anne Stenmark, a breeder who would judge Harry and seven other terrier breeds, stood a few feet from Harry and his handler. She imported his semen when he was just a puppy, before he had ever raised a paw to celebrate his first best-in-show victory. “It’s well known that I’m one of his biggest fans,” she said of a dog whose co-owner is Bill Cosby, who in his educational and canine pursuits goes by the name William H. Cosby. Stenmark was not expecting a judging challenge with Harry. “It’s a no-brainer,” she said with a smile. “This isn’t judging. Judging is comparing.” Advertisement Continue reading the main story Harry would have to howl like a coyote, gnaw freshly laundered Knicks uniforms and curse the memory of Muzz Patrick to lose. At 2:10, Harry entered the ring on his solo mission. He is small, but not a toy, with a dome of pouffy white hair forming a helmet on his head; he has a silvery-gray coat and dark hazel eyes that look like giant buttons because the dark rims around them give him the appearance of wearing spectacles.

His tail, which tapers to a point, wagged east to west like a hirsute metronome, except when he sleeps. McFadden walked him around the ring. Stenmark beckoned to lift Harry onto the judging table. She felt all around him, checking to see how he conformed to the Dandie standard that she said she had a hand in rewriting. McFadden brushed him a few times. He put Harry down on the green carpet and walked him a bit more around the ring. The crowd applauded. Photo Faith, a Shih Tzu, waited for her turn in the ring as the preliminary judging began at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York. Credit Ruby Washington/The New York Times Harry won swiftly in three minutes. A shutout. McFadden, who brought 16 other dogs to Westminster, said Harry usually showed alone in his breed. “It’s kind of a luxurious feeling,” he said.

“A lot of times, winning the breed is the hardest thing to do.” Donald Booxbaum, who judged 115 big dogs yesterday morning (with no breed roster smaller than five Neapolitan mastiffs), said that a ring with many dogs (like the 21 Great Danes) “is more of a challenge and it’s more time consuming, but otherwise it makes no difference.” Big dogs, unlike Dandies, “are easier to judge because their faults stand out more clearly.” There are several reasons why Harry was on his own. Dandies are not widely owned or shown. The owners of other champion Dandies might have avoided challenging Harry, who won 57 best-in-shows in 2006; Harry himself could not choose to avoid top rivals, the way a risk-averse boxer might avoid serious challenges to his title. And Stenmark’s affection for Harry may have kept other Dandies at home. “The top five in each breed are invited, so they can’t say they didn’t get the invitation,” said David Frei, the Westminster club’s spokesman and the analyst for the USA Network broadcast of the two-day show.

“But sometimes they see the handwriting on the wall.” Please verify you're not a robot by clicking the box. Invalid email address. Please re-enter. You must select a newsletter to subscribe to. Sign Up Privacy Policy Last night, after a few hours’ rest, Harry faced 27 other terriers, one of four groups (the others were toy, working and non-sporting) whose winners were decided. Three more will be judged tonight. And he won again. But he needed about 40 minutes to be deemed better than the Airedale, the Bedlington, the cairn, the Glen of Imaal, Scottish, Parson Russell, Sealyham and other terriers. Advertisement “It was nothing different,” said McFadden, discussing Harry’s attitude to showing with or without competitors. Harry was calm and playful afterward, snacking on liver treats, not at all the image of a breed bred to kill badgers. “As long as people clap,” he added. “That’s what he wants.” Cosby co-owns Harry with Emma Greenway and Jean Heath, a retired Navy officer and physical therapist at Philadelphia Naval Hospital, where Cosby was a physical therapy technician in 1959.

“He was my patient and my corpsman,” said Heath, who has co-owned hundreds of dogs with Cosby, many of them Lakeland terriers. Cosby was not at the Garden, but his daughter Erinn was. She embraced Harry, then brought him into her arms. “How else would I feel?” she said. “Stupendous.” Harry posed for the canine paparazzi. McFadden, whose gray suit matched Harry’s coat, held his tail in his hand to still its movement. Once he let go, the wagging resumed. By night’s end, Harry knew who three of his rivals for Best in Show would be: an Akita (Ch. Redwitch Reason to Believe), a toy poodle (Ch. Smash Jp Win a Victory) and a standard poodle (Ch. Brighton Minimoto). If Harry were setting odds, he might favor himself. Terriers have won Best in Show 44 times at Westminster, far more than any other group. “Terriers have the sort of presence that says, ‘I’m here!’ ” said Jeffrey G. Pepper, who judges a breed that has never won: the golden retriever.

A version of this article appears in print on , on Page D1 of the New York edition with the headline: At a Storied Gathering of Champions, One Dog Stands Alone. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe Dandie Dinmont Terrier Dog Breed Information, Puppies & Pictures Temperament The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a fun-loving companion dog.... It is lively and friendly and gets along well with children of all ages and sizes if raised with them from a young age. They are protective of their home and males can be aggressive toward other male dogs, especially if they both live in the same home. This breed tends to be wary of strangers and other pets. It will only tolerate cats with which it has been raised with from puppyhood. Dandie Dinmont Terriers can be stubborn, but they are not difficult to train. Patience is a must when training this breed. Like all terriers, the Dandie Dinmont enjoys a good dig. Caring For a Dandie Dinmont Terrier The Dandie Dinmont Terriers size and even temperament make it a good dog to have in an apartment....

When taken outside, be sure to keep them on a leash unless you are in a fenced and secure area because they are constantly on the prowl for small animals and may take off after a cat or squirrel. Regular exercise is always a must for dogs, but this breed can generally adapt to whatever activity level is present in the home. Although this breed sheds a minimal amount of hair, regular brushing is still recommended as well as professional grooming. The dead hair in their coat should be plucked out every few months. Although a very healthy breed, the Dandie Dinmont sometimes suffers from invertebral disk disease and glaucoma. Breed History In the 1700s, two types of distinct terriers were emerging throughout Britain.... One type had a long back, short legs and a rough coat, and the other was smooth-coated with a shorter back. Both terriers were used to kill vermin as well as other ground animals such as otters and badgers. At the time, the long-backed, rough-coated terrier was seen as better suited to the job because its coat could withstand any weather or environment, it had a strong sturdy body, and its jaws were very powerful.

In the early 1800s, controlled breeding of dogs for certain duties became very popular and Scotland focused on the short-legged, rough-coated breeds. Out of these breedings, various types of terriers emerged, one being the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. The breed owes its name and popularity to an 1814 novel by Sir Walter Scott titled Guy Mannering, in which a character named Dandie Dinmont owned a pack of these impressive terriers; the Dandie Dinmont is the only AKC-recognized breed to be named after a fictional character. The dog's small size and big personality made the decision to bring them to America easy, and the dogs earned their keep during trans-Atlantic passages by killing rats and entertaining the crew. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1886, just two years after the AKC itself was founded. Bedlington and Dandie Dinmont Terrier » JaneDogs Bedlington and Dandie Dinmont Terrier Bedlington and Dandie Dinmont Terrier Dandie Dinmont Bedlington and Dandie Dinmont Terriers are among the oldest show breeds appearing in the First English Stud Book published in 1874.

Apart from modernizing the coat, their breed type has never significantly altered. With both breeds developing in counties adjacent to the English-Scottish border, the significant similarities of general body shape, coat colour and silky topknot common to both breeds indicates some mixing of blood. But it appears their development was historically separate. History of the Dandie Dinmont Mustard and Pepper Dandie Dinmonts c 1900 A race of short legged terriers answering the description of Dandie Dinmont was kept by the farmers on the Scottish side of the Border Region before the end of the 1700's. These terriers were hardy enough to be used on any animal from the weasel family which includes not only stoats and polecats, but also otters and badgers. From these earliest times the Dandie was required to have 'a long, low weasley body', words that remain in the breed standard to this day. How the original Dandie came to have such short legs is 'lost in the mists of obscurity'. As Rawdon Lee also wrote in 1894: . .

it was well known that Border farmers and others kept a hardy race of short-legged terriers, answering to the description of the Dandie Dinmont, even before the end of the 1700's. They assisted the hounds to kill otters, and were hardy enough to destroy foxes in their holes . . . notwithstanding their short legs and long bodies, were fairly active and as hard as nails[1] . Dandie Dinmont and his terriers Although the original Dandie was smaller than the modern one, perhaps in an endeavour to obtain greater bone as well as larger heads with stronger jaws, heavier bodies were also produced. So the short legs entrenched in the breed, as did the long strong body shaped like the weasel he was bred to hunt. It is recorded that around 1800, a farmer named James Davidson was given a pair of splendid workers that were short on the leg, large bodied, and had large heads with pendant ears. James Davidson was typical of his time and as he was a keen sportsman, eventually he possessed ten or twelve couples of these terriers.

So when the celebrated novelist Sir Walter Scott published the book 'Guy Mannering' in 1814, he invented the name Dandie Dinmont which seemed to suit typical characters like James Davidson. The names of the actual dogs were Old Pepper and Old Mustard, Young Pepper and Young Mustard or Little Pepper and Little Mustard. Hence the names of the permissible colours of pepper and mustard which remain in today's breed standard. Australia Dandies (Australia) c 1890 In Australia, there must have been some early importations of Dandie Dinmonts into Victoria from 1890 - 1903 because they are mentioned in "The Dog in Australiasia"[4] and one is also pictured. Additionally the attached picture was published in 'The Australian Dog News' around 1890. So it can be assumed by the listing of imported dogs in 1890 that these were brought here by the Mr Clark named on the middle picture. But these early importations must have died out because Dandies are among the breeds listed in Australia's first Stud book Tyzacks Annual as not being present here in 1911[2].

There also does not appear to be any records of them after that date for many decades. But in 1970's that Don and Mary MacCaul began importing and breeding Dandies under the Marydon prefix. They rekindled interest in the breed and by 1990 Dr Emma Greenway became involved. She has imported and bred some excellent specimens under the Jollygaze prefix which have held their own on the all-breeds and Specialist platforms both here and overseas. History of the Bedlington Bedlington c 1890 Meanwhile the Bedlington developed on the English side of the Border as the Fox Terrier of the Northern Counties that had been run with Foxhounds since the late 1700's. At this time, foxes destroyed so many sheep that hounds and terriers became part of the farmers' household. But these speedy terriers were also valued for the sport of rabbit coursing among the miners. As well as farmers and miners, gypsies were also a sporting lot and assisted to spread these terriers throughout the district.

In those days people could also earn money with a good terrier or two as there was not only a bounty on the head of foxes killed, the skins of otters and other weasels could also be sold. In addition, various sports like badger baiting were often held in the towns along the Border. In addition to the betting, no doubt dogs were also exchanged. Bedlington and Dandie Dinmont c 1890 But it was the union of one particularly famous linty-haired liver dog mated to a blue bitch with a silky topknot that spread the fame of Bedlingtons in the early 1800's. These dogs stood shorter on the leg and longer in the body than they do today. But their pedigrees could reliably be traced right up to the time of the first English Stud Books. So Bedlingtons have also been exhibited since 1861, and so also appeared in the first English Stud Book .

Eng Ch Bedlington 1964 At one of these early dog shows, how closely the Dandie and the Bedlington breeds were allied became obvious when the Earl of Antrim won prizes in both Bedlington and Dandie classes with 2 dogs out of the same bitch and by the same sire. So today it should be recognized that each of these breeds had influence on certain features of the other. Brian Huxham In Australia there is only a brief reference to Bedlingtons being imported here in 'The Dog in Australiasia'[4] and also in 'Tyzacks Annual'[2] . But this breed also appears to have died out until 1964. Then three Bedlingtons including the English Champion pictured[3] were imported into Victoria by Mrs Olive Smalley ("Lynstar"). Shelagh O'Brian followed with another pair from a different bloodline. This laid the foundation for a small band of enthusiasts to follow including Joan and Ken Tucker (Foggystar) and that colourful character, Brian Huxham. The Bedlington and Dandie Dinmont Terrier today Because of their historical connection, it is interesting to compare the Bedlington and Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

Not only are there many distinct similarities, the differences between these two breeds demonstrate the purpose for which these two breeds were originally bred. So it is important to realize how one and a half centuries of being showdogs rather than working Terriers, has changed them. Bedlingtons (Liver) Mouth - Normal scissors bite with exceptionally large teeth Ears - Thin and lowset on the head and dropped , hanging close to the cheek with a tuft of hair at the end Coat Texture - Double coat with soft undercoat which feels like lint, but is actually a mixture of hard hairs coming through a soft undercoat Topline - An arch over the loin with the Dandie also having a slight downward curve at the shoulders Ribcage - Deep, despite the shape being so different Hindlegs - Appearing to be longer than their forelegs Tail - Thick at the root and tapering to a point and gracefully curved or shaped like a scimitar. Differences Dandie Dinmont Height - the main differences between these two breeds relate their difference in height at shoulder because of their function.

The Bedlingtons are long legged terriers which mainly coursed rabbit and hare above ground while the Dandies are short legged terriers that mainly followed vermin especially weasels underground. So their height corresponds to the purpose for which they were developed. The Bedlington should have a height of around 41 cms (16 inches) with a weight of 8 - 10 kilos (18 - 23 pounds) while the Dandie has a height specified from 20-28cms (8-11 ins) at withers. Dandie Dinmont But interestingly while the weight of the Dandie is not specified, the length of the Dandie's body is! So similar to the Skye Terrier that was also developed for underground work, the Breed Standard dictates the measurement from withers to root of tail not be more than twice his height, but preferably 2.5-5cm (1" to 2") less. So the size specifications alone reflect the purpose of the Bedlington and Dandie.

Additionally while the Bedlington has the build of being capable of galloping at high speeds, the Dandie has the build that enables him to slither through underground tunnels. Bedlington (Liver) The breed standards also differ in the following respects: Head - The Bedlington has a narrow but deep skull with no stop . The Dandie has a large head with extraordinary cheek muscles, with a measurement from inner corner of eye being the same as from ear to ear and a ratio of muzzle to skull being three as to five. The top of the Dandie's muzzle also has a triangular bare patch about an inch wide pointing backwards towards the eyes. Dandie Dinmont Coat Colour - The Bedlington can be blue, liver or sandy with or without tan markings, obvious when the dog is young. But when adult can look almost white especially livers and sandies. But as they become older and for example, when a bitch has a season and/or a litter, a liver's body can look medium brown with a lighter coloured head and legs. This usually fades again until the next season. In the same way, a blue can become dark whilst also retaining the lighter coloured head and legs. Males can also gradually change with age.

This colour is not just the guard hairs, even the soft undercoat look dark on their body. On the other hand, the Dandie's colour of mustard or pepper at the end of each hair is much more obvious at all ages and gives a look of lying in pencils. Bedlington (Blue) Nose colour - The Bedlington has a brown nose if it is liver or sandy and only the blue or blue and tan has a black nose. But the Dandie's nose must always be black. Neck - The Bedlington's neck is long and springs up from the shoulders whereby the Dandie's neck is set into its shoulders and therefore carried in a more forward, rather than an upright position. Shape of Ribcage - the Bedlington has flat ribs whereby the Dandie's ribs are round and drop well between the forelegs. Front - The Bedlington's forelegs are straight but wider apart at the chest than at the feet. When the dog is standing facing you, four fingers should be able to fit between the forelegs, but this should reduce at the feet to three fingers in width. This unique feature allows the dog to pivot more easily when required to gallop at high speeds.

Although the Bedlington is a coursing dog that worked on top of the ground, he still had to be capable of digging into and so entering the dens and therefore has a terrier front Dandie Dinmont Because the Dandie's ribs are round and the chest comes well down between the short well boned forelegs , the forearms although not bandy, must follow the line of the chest. This can cause the feet to point slightly outwards when the dog is standing. In other words, they have slightly bowed front legs (crooked front) . Additionally, when the dog is digging its way through the dens of the weasels it was bred to hunt, it shifts the dirt to the side of his body so the chest followed by the rest of the dog, can slither through the hole. Feet - The Bedlington has long hare feet and long pasterns typical of a coursing breed while the Dandie has round well-padded feet typical of a digging terrier. Gait - The Bedlington has such power and flexibility in its hindquarters, it can gallop at high speeds at a double suspension gallop.

So at a trot its action is described as 'mincing' light and springy at slow paces and with a slight roll at full stride. The Dandie has a typical fluid free stride. References and Further Reading See also Jane Harvey DVD "Terriers Then & Now" Published Rangeaire Vision 2002-2004 ISBN 978-0-9804296-4-0 [1] Rawdon B. Lee, "Modern Dogs" of Great Britain and Ireland (Third Edition) London:Horace Cox, "Field" Office, Windsor House, Bream's Buildings, E.C. 1903 The Bedlington Terrier Chapter V111, Pages 205 - 210 and the Dandie Dinmont Chapter X11 Pages 313 - 325 [2] T.W.Tyzack and C.S. Turner "Tyzack's Annual" published by the Victorian Poultry and Kennel Club 1912, printed by Bellmaine Bros., Printers 66 - 70 Flinders Lane Melbourne Australia P.

92 (Bedlingtons) and P.93 (Dandie Dinmonts) [3] "The British Terrier Club of NSW Diamond Jubilee Handbook 1907 - 1967" published by Hi-Line Press Page 75 [4] W. Beilby 'The Dog in Australasia' published George Robertson & Company in 1897 Chapter on the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Page 370 - 371 and the Bedlington Page 378. On this page

Question: What type of creature is a Dandy Dinmont
Answer: Dog